Rail transport – the locomotive of a sustainable European economy
Satisfied rail customers and business growth
For freight customers, freight train-load services will continue to meet market needs over all journey distances.
Rail freight will be at the heart of long-distance transport: within an enlarged Europe, to the East and, via Europe’s seaports, to the rest of the world. As the backbone of a sustainable logistics chain, rail companies will offer customers flexible, door-to-door service along with other transport modes.
Quality long-distance services (train-load, intermodal and wagon-load) will compete effectively with other modes, on a primary rail freight network for Europe. Different service types will use interoperable resources and modern rail infrastructure, meeting journey time and service quality requirements.
For passenger customers, major European population centres will be connected by high-speed trains and quality overnight trains, making rail the preferred means of transport over all but the longest distances.
Modern, regional and urban rail transport systems will meet a significant proportion of commuter and other journey needs. These services are run efficiently under transparent public service contracts with the public authorities: they safeguard mobility, while meeting strict safety and environmental criteria in densely populated areas. They link with other urban transport in the mobility chain.
Agreed quality standards will be delivered for all types of passenger service, tailored to different mobility needs, with particular attention to the reasonable requirements of people with reduced mobility.
Effective rail businesses in a competitive market
Railway companies, - of whatever size - will be run as normal businesses, successfully competing with other modes of transport, as well as with each other, and generating profitable sector partnerships. Some companies will have established themselves on the stock market, with satisfied shareholders. State funding will be through mechanisms such as multi-annual contracts for infrastructure or for public service obligations.
Balanced and flexible social conditions will support the delivery of railway companies´ business objectives.
The right legal and economic conditions
The single European rail area will be a reality, backed by EU railway law. Market entry and competition barriers will have been entirely removed, and only some ‘legacy’ infrastructure will constrain complete EU-wide interoperability.
Regulation of all transport modes will have recognised their contribution to environmentally sustainable mobility. Competent authorities will regularly monitor the implementation of the framework conditions, to ensure that competition between rail and other transport modes continues to be fair and efficient.
Market-oriented prices (that include external costs) will allow to a large extent the financing of the European transport infrastructure network on the same basis.
The people of Europe will benefit
With the right economic mechanisms in place, rail and road transport will support the EU Lisbon strategy for economic growth and employment in a globalising world.
Major environmental risks will be under control. Transport’s CO2 emissions will be decreasing; thanks to increased use of environmentally friendly rail transport. Modern rail assets and technologies will maintain rail’s environmental advantage.
Society will increasingly benefit from the high safety standards of rail transport.
The railway sector as a whole will offer attractive employment based on equal opportunity in an international dimension.
The benefits created by rail transport for both rail customers and society will lead to a positive public perception of railways.